Impact Assessment of Tsunami 2004

: Tamil Nadu , India A Socio Economic Approach.

Dr. Mrs. K. Jayashree

Professor of Geography Queen Marys College, Chennai, INDIA. Email: m.gupt@mailcity.com

The recent Tsunami that struck South-east Asian countries is a rarest of rare earth dynamics. The wegeners theory of Plate Tectonics proved significantly correct indicating earths re-adjustments would be disastrous and cause calamity to humanity. Experts say the bungling of marine ecological system would have long term impact. The first environmental assessment of a range of coastal ecosystems along the south coast of India were initiated by various organizations, including the NGOs providing some preliminary observations on the nature and scale of the tsunamis impact on their biophysical character.

After Tsunami: The Physical Impacts, Tamil Nadu, India

1) As high as 30,000 hectares of cauvery delta area has turned saline, making the land unfit for cereal cropping. The area needs reclaimation. The winter crops on coastal area especially in districts of Nagapattinam, Tiuvarur, Cuddalore, as 20,000 hectares were inundated. Casurina saplings, groundnut and horticultural crops raised in areas at Kodiyakarai in Cuddalore district have withered.

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4) Having lost the standing crops, the crop loss estimate may even touch 5-7 crores of rupees. 5) The agricultural activities were halted at 123 coastal villages in Nagapattinam district 53 villages at Cuddalore district. Farmers say, that, the cultivation could not be taken up for a few years in view of salinity of soil. 6) In few districts, the Paddy fields in some areas were sand cast up to a height of 15cms. 7) The water in wells far away from the sea have also become saline.

8) The most significant change caused by is the cartographic changes; that is entire Indian continent was dragged to east by 9mm. 9) The entire marine ecology along Tamilnadu has been shattered. 10) Though Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur districts were known for their natural drainage system, the silted canals and tall bunds put up by aqua culture farms contributed to water clogging for several hours in some areas. The sea breeze added to the farmers woes. Though the coconut, and cashew grooves withstood the onslaught.

11) The coastal fresh water bodies have become saline, due to slamming of ocean waves over them. 12) The soil chemistry on the coastal & neighbouring areas has changed, from its original nature. 13) The texture and the composition of beach sand has changed. 14) LTL, HTL (low tide level and hide tide level) of coast has been changed, observably. 15) The extent of Marine fishing area has been reduced observably.

16) The Two esturine mouths of Adyar and Cooum rivers have been widened, the sand bars at the mouth area were washed away, allowing free mix of water of sea and river. 17) The width of the beach has been reduced, because the shoreline has been brought forward few metres. 18) Many coastal tourist spots have lost their attraction and charm hence the tourism income also has been reduced drastically. Income coss loss may be estimated at 15 to 20 crores.

19) Over night, the word Tsunami had become the buzzword of entire Indian humanity. 20) The economic slump caused by Tsunami in the sectors like agriculture and industries has affected the normal economic life.

Tsunami - Economic impacts

1. The fishing economy along the coast has been seriously endangered. Thousands of fishermen were missing, lost their fishing equipment, like nets, fishing boats, rowing rods etc. 2. The imports and exports of marine products like fish, prawns, coral reeds, oysters, pearl fishing etc were jeopardized. 3. Heavy monetary and property loss was found at Chennai Harbour. The cargo sheds of the Chennai Port have been devastated beyond repair.

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The reconstruction and restructuring of what has been lost would impair the on going projects of future extension or developmental programmes. Recapitalizing the damaged industrial units is a daunting task.

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Estimated Loss of Tsunami, INDIA (Direct Costs)

Human loss Missing Population No. affected Homeless Material Loss House broken Fishing boats Merchant ships Lenth of Railway lines Loss to Chennai fort & Harbour 13,000-15,000 >45,000 2,50,000 3.75 lakhs 1.5 billion 6.7 lakhs 45,000 796 12,000 kms 50 crores

Bridges of Causeways Raw cargo Natural forests Mangrove Forests Marine life Private Property Live stock loss Poultry loss Fish production Fishing Nets Fishing Motor Crop Loss

57 1.2 lakh tons 200 sq .km 500 sq .km l lakh tons 2.3 Billions 11,683 cows + 10721 sheep + 9788 goats Rs. 2 millions 20.30 million tons 5 crores worth 1576 5 to 6 crores.

Tsunami - Virtual loss (Intangible loss)

1. Psychologically depressed people 2.Water phobia affected people & children 3. Parent less children 4. Widows 5. Widowers >3 Lakh

>1.2 Lakh >7.5 thousand 4.2 thousands 1.3 thousands

6.Mentally depressed and stressed people

12,000 >1 lakh

7.Emotional, anxiety, anguish, pathos affected people 8.No.of alcoholics 9.Drugs intake -

47,000

- Considerably increased increased by 30%

10.Juvenile Criminals

Tsunami - Food
The tsunami waves caused serious damage to irrigation structures, canals and embankments, and flood protection facilities along the river mouth. Many farmers report lost rice harvests, and rice paddies have been contaminated by salt water and sludge.

All irrigation systems along Tamilnadu coast were severely damaged by the sudden struck of tsunami, where the damage was greater in secondary and tertiary canal systems than in head works and main canals

Tsunami - Public Infrastructure Damage

The total irrigation area damaged is estimated approximately 28000ha in province (9.6% of the total irrigated). Damage to irrigation systems and rice fields may cause huge loss of rice production per year. Two to three years may be needed to bring normal productivity back.
All flood control and coastal structures near the coast of Kanyakumari were severely damaged by the tsunami, including up to 271kilometres upstream many rivers in Kanyakumari district had real hard hit. Similarly the tsunami damaged completely many state and National highway. The number and severity of destroyed public facilities was massive. Two major ports in Chennai and Tuticorin are completely out of function. Damage to government offices and hospitals hindered a coordinated response during the first month of emergency relief.

Tsunami- Livelihoods
The livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people have been affected. Examples include: An estimated 42,000 hectares of prawn/fish farms along the coast have been lost, diminishing investments and opportunities for small scale businesses. Land tenure is now uncertain for many families who used to live in the coastal strip. Uncertainties regarding the future of rice farming, coconut plantations fish farms and open sea fishing (due to damage of fishery equipments). Lost assets, belonging and livelihood security possibilities, especially along the coastal strip, all of which may result in higher dependency on natural resources.

Tsunami Disturbed Ecosystem and Ground Water

Many natural ecosystems (mangroves, coral reefs, near shore zones including fish farms, freshwater reservoirs and the coastal strip) have been heavily damaged, leaving them more vulnerable to possible future events such as high tides.

Strategies and Solutions

1) Establishing a global warning system for Tsunamis in Indian Ocean should be mad mandatory, to protect the humanity from another killers tsunami. 2) Economic activities along the coast, including tourism development should be regulated under a uniform National policy 3) Permanent houses, leaving a safety distance (500m) from sea shore should be constructed. 4) Afforestation, is the only method through which, loss can be minimize. 5) The protection of natural forests along the coast, stringent forest policies should be adopted.

) Reduction of residential colonies along the sea coast would minimize the human loss and banning of residential colonies with in 200 meters.

) Advanced technology should be adopted at seismic stations, meteorological stations, especially oceanographic research centres.

Technical coordination between developed and developing countries may certainly improve the forecasting situations.

) More significantly, tsunami awareness and related educational programmes should be undertaken by government